On 2012-11-25 15:49, aknifethatfellfromthesky wrote:
during a recent conversation with a friend i learnt about a fungi commonly known as 'chaga' (Inonotus obliquus) which is known, both scientifically, and in folk medicine to have remarkable medicinal uses including incredible cancer killing properties amongst a plethora of other benefits . apparantly where he lives (USA) it is rarely found below certain latitudes. it is to be found on birch trees in taiga/tundra environments. he takes this fungi as a cure all and preventative but it is quite expensive as its chemical makeup can't currently be synthesized in a lab. i thought i'd look online to see if it was found in this country. i discovered there were only 300 odd records of it ever being described in the UK with most samples found in the highlands. however a number of sites exist in the midlands and peak district and the nearest to where i live happens to be in birch woods besides Ewden Beck stone circle... birch was known to be present throughout the bronze age in this area.. now im not generally one for wild speculation but the thought entered my head that perhaps some circles could have acted as the 'local chemists', a focal point where people could buy, trade and exchange medicinal plants and knowledge. have any of you guys done any research into circles and their associated prehistoric flora and fauna? DDx